Pipe holder

ABSTRACT

A pipe holder and support structure is adapted to retain a smoking pipe therein while the support structure is in any desired position including a horizontal position, a generally upstanding position on a support surface, or a carried position having a support member thereof received in a pocket of a shirt or jacket with the smoking pipe on the outside of the pocket. The pipe support structure includes a backplate member having a pipe cushioning member mounted thereon and which has portions defining an elongated recess adapted to receive therein a lower portion of a stem and bowl of the smoking pipe. A pipe retaining member extends transversely of the elongated recess and is adapted to engage an upper portion of the stem to resiliently retain the smoking pipe in the elongated recess in the pipe cushioning member and to retain a heel of the bowl in engagement with an end portion of the pipe cushioning member. Opposed forces applied to opposite end portions of the pipe retaining member causes a center portion thereof to move away from the pipe cushioning member to permit the stem of the pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetween upon release of the opposed forces.

United States Patent [191 You nt PIPE HOLDER [76] Inventor: RobertEugene Yount, l l 168 W.

70th Ter., Shawnee, Kans. 66203 22 Filed: Oct. 7, 1974 211 Appl. No.:512,738

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No454,264, March 25 1974. abandoned.

Primary Examiner loseph S. Reich Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishbum, Gold& Litman June 10, 1975 l 57] ABSTRACT A pipe holder and supportstructure is adapted to retain a smoking pipe therein while the supportstructure is in any desired position including a horizontal position, agenerally upstanding position on a support surface, or a carriedposition having a support member thereof received in a pocket of a shirtor jacket with the smoking pipe on the outside of the pocket. The pipesupport structure includes a backplate member having a pipe cushioningmember mounted thereon and which has portions defining an elongatedrecess adapted to receive therein a lower portion of a stem and bowl ofthe smoking pipe. A pipe retaining member extends transversely of theelongated recess and is adapted to engage an upper portion of the stemto resiliently retain the smoking pipe in the elongated recess in thepipe cushioning member and to retain a heel of the bowl in engagementwith an end portion of the pipe cushioning member. Opposed forcesapplied to opposite end portions of the pipe retaining member causes acenter portion thereof to move away from the pipe cushioning member topermit the stem of the pipe to be inserted therebetween and retainedtherebetween upon release of the opposed forces.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PIPE HOLDER This application is acontinuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 454,264 filedMar. 25, I974 and now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a portable holder for a smoking pipewhich is adapted to retain a pipe therein while the tobacco holder isnear a horizontal position and stem portion near an upstanding positionon a support structure, or a carried position having a support memberthereof received in a pocket of a shirt or jacket.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a pipeholder or support structure adapted to retain a smoking pipe thereinwhile the support structure is in any desired position including in ornear a horizontal position, a generally upstanding position on a supportsurface, or a carried position having a support member thereof receivedin a pocket of a shirt or jacket with the smoking pipe on the outside ofthe pocket; to provide such a pipe holder adapted to permit easy placingof the pipe in the holder and easy removal of the pipe from the holder;to provide such a pipe holder constructed of material which may bemanually formed or molded to conform to a curved stem portion of asmoking pipe; to provide such a pipe support structure having pipeengaging surfaces thereof formed of a material which will not mar thebowl and stem surfaces of the pipe; to provide such a pipe holder whichis portable and provides a convenient, clean, and safe location for asmoking pipe; to provide such a pipe holder adapted to permitunrestricted air flow through a pipe stem and bowl; to provide such apipe holder adapted to support the pipe in a bowl down position therebymaintaining the pipe in a preferable position when not in use; toprovide such a pipe holder adapted to support the smoking pipe in ornear a horizontal position which is preferred for a loaded pipe; toprovide such a pipe holder having a contour adapted to receive andretain many pipe shapes; and to provide such a pipe holder which isattractive in appearance, durable in construction, convenient to use,and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way ofillustration and example certainembodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of the specification and include anexemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrates variousobjects and features of the pipe support structure.

FIG. I is a front elevational view of a pipe support structure embodyingfeatures of the present invention and shown in a generally upstandingposition on a support surface.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pipe support structure alsoshown in a generally upstanding position.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the pipe support structure alsoshown in a generally upstanding position and with portions broken awayto show component parts thereof.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the pipe support structure shown inhorizontal position preferred for a loaded pipe and with portions brokenaway to show component parts thereof.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 4 andshowing components in a pipe retaining position.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view similar to FIG. 5 except showingthe components in a pipe release position in response to opposed forcesapplied to opposite sides of the pipe support structure.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the pipe support structure shownafter being molded to conform to a smoking pipe with a curved stem andwith portions broken away to show component parts thereof.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the referencenumeral 1 generally designates a pipe holder or pipe support structurewhich is adapted to retain a smoking pipe 2 therein while the pipestructure l is in or near a horizontal position, a generally upstandingposition on a support surface 3, or a carried position having a supportmember 4 thereof received in a pocket ofa shirt orjacket (not shown)with the smoking pipe 2 on the outside of the pocket. The pipe supportstructure 1 includes a backplate member 5 (FIG 6) having a pipecushioning and positioning member 6 (FIG. 4) mounted thereon and whichhas laterally spaced elongated portions 7 and 8 defining an elongatedrecess 9 therebetween adapted to receive therein a lower portion ofastem 10 and a bowl ll of the smoking pipe 2. A pipe retaining member 12extends transversely of the elongated recess 9 and is adapted to engagean upper portion of the stem 10 to resiliently retain the smoking pipe 2in the elongated recess 9 in the pipe cushioning member 6 and to retaina heel 14 of the bowl 11 in engagement with an end portion 15 of thepipe cushioning member 6. Opposed forces applied to opposite endportions of the pipe retaining member 12 causes a center portion thereofto move away from the pipe cushioning member 6 to permit the stem 10 ofthe pipe 2 to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetween uponrelease of the opposed forces.

The backplate member 5, when in a generally upstanding position asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2. and 3, has upper and lower ends 16 and 17respectively (FIG. 4). The backplate member 5 is a generally planarmember and may be any desired shape with a portion thereof adjacent theupper end 16 having sufficient width to provide a hinged connection ofthe support member 4 thereto. The intermediate portion of the backplatemember 5 has sufficient width to permit flexing thereof to permitinsertion of the stem 10 of the smoking pipe 2 between the backplatemember 5 and the pipe retaining member 12.

The backplate member 5 is preferably formed of a material havingsufficient rigidity to receive and sup port the pipe 2 thereon andsufficient flexibility or resiliency whereby the backplate member 5 maybe caused to assume a generally concave shape in response to in wardlydirected opposed forces applied to opposite edges of the intermediateportion thereof. The backplate member 5 preferably has sufficientresiliency to return to the normal or generally planar shape when theopposed forces are released. It has been found that vinyl plastic insheet form with a thickness in the nature of one thirty-second of aninch provides the desired characteristics. Vinyl plastic becomes pliablewhen heated and is adapted to be formed into a shape conforming to theshape of a curved pipe stem, as best seen in FIG. 7.

The pipe cushioning member 6 is illustrated as having the side portions7 and 8 extending from the upper end 16 of the backplate member 5 whenthe pipe support structure 1 is in a generally upstanding position. Theside portions 7 and 8 are substantially parallel to define the elongatedrecess 9. The illustrated pipe cushioning member 6 has a connectingportion 18 extending between and connecting lower ends of the sideportions 7 and 8. The connecting portion 18 is positioned intermediatethe ends of the backplate member 5 and pro vides a cushion for the lowerportion of the bowl 11. The side portions 7 and 8 and the connectingportion 18 have peripheral edges thereof corresponding to the peripheryof the backplate member 5.

The end portion 15 of the pipe cushioning member 6 extends between theconnecting portion 18 and the lower end 17 of the backplate member 5.The end portion 15 is a generally U-shaped member having an open endforming an extension of the elongated recess 9 and adapted to close thelower end thereof. The end portion 15 has a greater thickness than theside portions 7 and 8 and the connecting portion 18 to thereby provide arest for the heel 14 of the bowl 1 1, when the pipe support structure 1is in a generally upstanding position on a support surface 3.

The side portions 7 and 8 and the connecting portion 18 of the pipecushioning member 6 are preferably formed of a material which willcushion the stem and bowl ll of the pipe 2. Polyurethane foam with adensity in the range of 1.25 to 1.45 pounds per cubic foot and athickness in the nature of one-half inch has been found to provide asufficient cushion for the pipe 2.

The end portion 15 of the pipe cushioning member 6 is also preferablyformed of polyurethane foam but with a density in the nature of 3. l 5to 3.75 pounds per cubic foot. The end portion 15 preferably has athickness greater than the side portions 7 and 8 and the connectingportion 18, such as five-eighths of an inch at the deepest pointthereof. The increased thickness and density of the end portion 15relative to the side portions 7 and 8 and connecting portion 18 providesfor positive support of the heel 14 of the bowl 11 when the pipe supportstructure 1 is in an inclined position or a generally upstandingposition. The end portion 15 is shaped to have outer peripheral edgesthereof adjacent the peripheral edges of the backplate member 5 and tohave the upper ends of the end member 15 in abutting engagement with alower end or edge of the connecting portion 18.

The respective portions of the pipe cushioning mem ber 6 are suitablysecured to a front side of the backplate member 5, as by a suitableadhesive, such as a contact cement, or glue.

It is desirable to provide a covering over the backplate member 5 andthe pipe cushioning holder and member 6 to provide a finished appearancefor the pipe holder and support structure 1 and to provide an abrasiveresistant material to prevent scratching or marring of the surfaces ofthe stem 10 and the bowl ll of the smoking pipe 2 and the supportsurface 3 when placed thereon. An expandable fabric, such as vinyl, softfinished leather, and polyurethane fabric having a backing of cottonstretch knit fabric, have been found to provide the desiredcharacteristics.

A front covering 19 is suitably secured to the respective portions ofthe pipe cushioning member 6 and to the front side of the backplatemember 5 and a rear covering 20 is suitably secured to the rear or otherside of the backplate member 5, as by a suitable adhesive, such ascontact cement. Peripheral edges of the front covering 19 and the rearcovering 20 may extend beyond respective peripheral edges of thebackplate member 5 and be suitably secured together, as by being heatwelded, glued, sewed, or laced, thereby providing a finished appearancefor the backplate member 5 and the pipe cushioning member 6.

A pocket 21 is provided on the rear covering 20, and tends transverselyof the backplate member 5 and is formed of a strip 22 of suitablematerial having opposite side edges thereof suitably secured to the rearcovering 20 and having open ends adjacent respective side edges of thebackplate member 5. The strip 22 is preferably of the same material asthe rear covering 20.

The pipe retaining member 12 is mounted on the backplate member 5 andextends transversely of the pipe positioning member 6. The piperetaining member 12 is adapted to engage an upper portion of the stem 10of the smoking pipe 2 thereby retaining same in the elongated recess 9in the pipe cushioning member 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pipe retaining member 12 includes afront planar member 24 formed of resilient material and positionedadjacent and in engagement with the pipe cushioning member 6 and havingopposite ends 25 and 26 thereof positioned adjacent respective oppositesides of the backplate member 5. The opposite ends 25 and 26 of thefront planar member 24 each have spaced tubular portions thereon todefine respective hinge portions.

The pipe retaining member 12 includes a rear planar member 27 formed ofresilient material and positioned adjacent the other side of and inengagement with the backplate member 5 and within the pocket 21. Therear planar member 27 has opposite ends 28 and 29 thereof havingrespective tubular portions thereon to define respective hinge portionspositioned between the tubular portions of the opposite ends 25 and 26respectively.

Means are provided to hingedly connect the opposite ends of the frontand rear planar members 24 and 27 whereby intermediate portions of theplanar members 24 and 27 are spaced apart a distance corresponding thethickness of the backplate member 5 and the pipe positioning member 6.It is preferable that the spacing between the opposite ends of theplanar members 24 and 27 be slightly less than the width of thebackplate member 5 so that same has an initial bow rearwardly thereof.

Opposed forces applied to the opposite ends of the planar members 24 and27, which effects movement of the opposite ends toward each other,causes the planar members 24 and 27 to move and increase the spacingtherebetween while the backplate member 5 is moving or bowing rearwardlybeyond the initial rearward bow thereof. The front planar member 24moves outwardly from the pipe cushioning member 6 to thereby permit thestem of a smoking pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained in theelongated recess 9 upon release of the opposed forces. In theillustrated structure, pins 30 and 31 are received in respective alignedtubular portions on the opposite ends of the planar members 24 and 27 todefine hinges.

The planar members 24 and 27 are preferably formed of metal, such asspring steel, and it is, therefore, desirable to provide a covering forthe front planar member 24 to protect the surfaces of the smoking pipe 2when retained in the elongated recess 9. A covering 32 is preferablyformed of the same material as the front covering 19 for the pipepositioning member 6. The covering 32 preferably completely encloses thefront planar member 24 except for the opposite ends thereof. In theillustrated structure, the covering 32 is a sleeve, however, thematerial could be bonded or secured to the front planar member 24, as bya suitable adhesive.

The support member 4 has an upper end 33 thereof secured on the rearcovering 20. The upper end 33 of the support member 4 is hingedlymounted on the back or rear side of the rear covering adjacent the upperend 16 of the backplate member 5. The support member 4 has a lower end34 adapted to be spaced from the lower end 17 of the backplate member 5when the lower ends 17 and 34 are in engagement with the supportingsurface 3 to position the pipe support structure 1 in an upstandingposition.

The support member 4 is preferably formed of a substantially rigidmaterial adapted to be moved between a position in engagement with thebackplate member 5 or having the lower end 34 thereof spaced from thelower end 17 of the backplate member 5. The support member 4 may beformed of any suitable material, such as polyvinyl plastic, plasticimpregnated paper, or the like.

The support member 4 has a suitable covering 35 preferably formed of thesame material as for the coverings l9 and 20 and the covering 32 for thefront planar member 24. The illustrated covering 35 has an extension 36secured to the rear covering 20, as by a suitable adhesive, stitching,or the like to thereby provide a hinge for the support member 4.

The support member 4 preferably has a size adapted to be received withinthe pocket of a shirt or jacket (not shown) worn by a person. Suitabledimensions for the support member 4 have been found to be in the natureof 3 3/l6 inches wide by 4% inches long.

In use, opposed forces are applied to the backplate member 5 at theopposite ends of the planar members 24 and 27 are effective to move thepins 30 and 31 toward each other, thereby causing the backplate member 5and the rear planar member 27 to bow or flex rearwardly and the frontplanar member 24 to bow or flex fowardly thereby increasing the spacingbetween the front planar member 24 and pipe cushioning member 6 as shownin FIG. 6. A mouthpiece portion of the stem 10 is moved under the frontplanar member 24 and toward the upper end 16 of the backplate member 5until bowl ll of the pipe 2 is received in the elongated recess 9 withthe heel 14 of the bowl 1] in engagement with the front covering 19 overthe end portion 15. When the pipe support structure 1 is to be carriedon the person, the support member 4 is inserted into a pocket with thebackplate member 5 outside of the pocket. The pipe 2 may be carriedwithin the pipe support structure I with the bowl 11 down therebyproviding air circulation through the pipe between the mouthpiece endand the bowl 11. When the support structure 1 is to be placed on asupport surface 3 with the contents of the bowl 1 l in a lighted orburning condition, the rear or lower surface of the support member 4 ispreferably in engagement with the support surface 3 and the rear orbackside of the backplate member 5 is in engagement with the supportmember 4 thereby positioning the stem 10 in a substantially levelposition, such as at or near horizontal, as best seen in FIG. 4. Whenthe pipe support structure 1 is to be placed on the support surface 3when the bowl 11 is empty, the lower ends 17 and 34 of the backplatemember 5 and the support member 4 respectively are spaced apart and inengagement with the support surface 3 thereby positioning the pipesupport structure in a generally upstanding position with the bowl 11down, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, to permit drainage and aircirculation or breathing of the smoking pipe 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates a pipe support structure 1 after being manuallymolded or formed to retain therein a pipe 2'to with a curved stem 10'.The backplate member 5 is formed of material which becomes pliable whenheated, therefore, the pipe support structure 1 is positioned adjacent asuitable heat source, such as an incandescent light bulb, until thebackplate 5 becomes pliable. The pipe 2' is positioned within theelongated recess 9 and the stem 10 is manually maintained in engagementwith the backplate member 5' and the pipe cushioning members 6' untilthe backplate member 5' cools sufficiently to retain a shape or contourconforming to the curved stem 10 thereby being manually molded to ashape of the curved pipe stem 10'.

Use of the pipe support structure 1' is substantially similar to use ofthe pipe support structure 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive. Whenthe pipe holder 1' is to be carried in a pocket, there will be somespacing between an upper portion of the molded or formed backplatemember Sto and the pocket of the respective garmeat.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described oneform of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form orarrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A pipe supportstructure comprising:

a. a backplate member having opposite sides and opposite ends;

b. a pipe cushioning member mounted on one side of said backplate memberand having portions defining an elongated recess therein and extendinglongitudinally thereof and adapted to receive a lower portion of a stemand bowl of a pipe, said pipe cushioning member having opposite sideedges and opposite ends; and

c. retaining means mounted on said backplate member and adjacent andextending transversely of the pipe cushioning member and adapted toengage an upper portion of the stem to thereby retain same in theelongated recess in the pipe cushioning member, said retaining meanshaving end portions positioned adjacent respective opposite sides ofsaid backplate member and adapted to have a center portion thereof moveaway from said cushioning member in response to opposed forces appliedto said end portions.

2. A pipe structure as set forth in claim 1 including a support memberhaving one end thereof hingedly mounted on the other side of saidbackplate member adjacent one end thereof and having an other end ofsaid support member spaced from the other end of said backplate memberwhen said other ends are in engage ment with a supporting surface toposition said backplate member and said support member in a generallyupstanding position.

3. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said backplate member is a resilient member whereby opposed forcesapplied to the opposite sides of said backplate member causes same toassume a generally transverse concave shape; and

b. said retaining means includes a planar member formed of resilientmaterial and having said opposite end portions thereof each mountedadjacent a respective one of the opposite edges of said backplate memberwhereby the opposed forces causes said planar member to assume agenerally concave shape in opposed relation to the concave shape of saidbackplate member to thereby permit the stem of a pipe to be insertedtherebetween and retained therebetween upon release of the opposedforces.

4. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidretaining means includes:

a. a first planar member formed of resilient material and positionedadjacent said pipe cushioning member and having opposite end portionsthereof adjacent respective opposite sides of said backplate member;

b. a second planar member formed of resilient material and positionedadjacent the other side of said backplate member and having opposite endportions thereof adjacent respective opposite sides of said backplatemember; and

c. means hingedly connecting the opposite end portions of said firstplanar member to respective opposite end portions of said second planarmember whereby intermediate portions of said first and second planarmembers are spaced apart and opposed forces applied to said opposite endportions thereof which effects movement of the opposite end portionstoward each other causes said first planar member to move outwardly fromsaid pipe cushioning member to thereby permit the stem ofa pipe to beinserted therebetween and retained therebetween upon release of theopposed forces.

5. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said recess defining portions of said pipe cushioning member includefirst and second portions positioned in laterally spaced relation andeach extending longitudinally of said backplate member and from one endof said backplate member to adjacent the other end thereof to define theelongated recess therebetween;

b. said pipe cushioning member has end portion extending between saidfirst and second portions and positioned adjacent the other end of saidbackplate member to define an end for the elongated recess; and

8 c. said pipe cushioning end portion is positioned to be engaged by aheel portion of the bowl of a pipe to thereby retain same in saidelongated recess. 6. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 5wherein:

a. said backplate member is a resilient member whereby opposed forcesapplied to the opposite sides of said backplate member causes same toassume a generally concave shape; and

b. said retaining means includes a planar member formed of resilientmaterial and positioned in overlying relation with said pipe cushioningmember and having opposite end portions thereof each hingedly supportedadjacent a respective one of the opposite edges of said backplate memberwhereby opposed forces applied to the opposite end portions of saidplanar member and to the opposite sides of said backplate member causessaid planar member and said backplate member to each assume a generallyconcave shape in opposed relation one to the other to thereby permit thestem of a pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetweenupon release of the opposed forces.

7. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidretaining means includes:

a. a second planar member formed of resilient material and positionedadjacent the other side of said backplate member and having opposite endportions thereof adjacent respective opposite sides of said backplatemember; and

b. means hingedly connecting the opposite end portions of said firstnamed planar member to respective opposite end portions of said secondplanar member whereby intermediate portions of said first named andsecond planar members are spaced apart and opposed forces applied to theopposite end portions thereof which effects movement of the opposite endportions toward each other causes said first named planar member to moveoutwardly from said pipe cushioning member to thereby permit the stem ofa pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetween uponrelease of the opposed forces.

8. A pipe support structure comprising:

a. a backplate member having opposite ends and opposite sides;

b a pipe cushioning member mounted on one side of said backplate memberand having portions defining an elongated recess therein and extendinglongitudinally from one end of said backplate member and adapted toreceive a lower portion of a stem and bowl of a pipe;

c. retaining means mounted on said backplate member and extendingtransversely of the pipe cushioning member and adapted to resilientlyengage an upper portion of the stem of said pipe to thereby retain samein the elongated recess in said pipe cushioning member. said retainingmeans having end portions positioned at respective opposite edges ofsaid backplate member and adapted to have a center portion thereof moveaway from said cushioning member in response to opposed forces appliedto said end portions; and

d. a support member having one end thereof hingedly mounted on the otherside of said backplate member adjacent one end thereof and having theother end of said support member selectively movable to a positionspaced from the other crd of said backplate member when said other endsare in engagement with a supporting surface to position said backplatemember and support member in a generally upstanding position.

9. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

a. said recess defining portions of said pipe cushioning member includefirst and second portions positioned in laterally spaced relation andeach extending longitudinally of said backplate member and from one endof said backplate member to adjacent the other end thereof to define theelongated recess therebetween;

b. said pipe cushioning member has an end portion extending between saidfirst and second portions and positioned adjacent the other end of saidbackplate member to define an end for the elongated recess;

c. said end portion is positioned to be engaged by a heel portion of thebowl of a pipe to thereby retain same in said elongated recess;

d. said first and second portions of said pipe cushioning member areeach formed of resilient material to provide a cushion for the stem andbowl of the pipe; and

c. said end portion of said pipe cushioning member is formed ofresilient material to provide a cushion for the heel portion of the bowlof the pipe.

10. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein:

a. said backplate member is a resilient member whereby opposed forcesapplied to the opposite sides of said backplate member causes same toassume a generally concave shape; and

b. said retaining means includes:

1. a planar member formed of resilient material and positioned inoverlying relation with said pipe cushioning member and having oppositeend portions thereof each hingedly supported adjacent a respective oneof the opposite edges of said backplate member whereby opposed forcesapplied to the opposite end portions of said planar member and to theopposite sides of said backplate member to each assume a generallyconcave shape in opposed relation one to the other to thereby permit thestem of a pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetweenupon release of the opposed forces;

2. a second planar member formed of resilient material and positionedadjacent the other side of said backplate member and having opposite endportions thereof adjacent respective opposite sides of said backplatemember; and

3. means hingedly connecting the opposite end portions of said firstnamed planar member to respective opposite end portions of said secondplanar member whereby intermediate portions of said first named andsecond planar members are spaced apart and opposed forces applied to theopposite ends thereof which effects movement of the opposite endportions toward each other causes said first named planar member to moveoutwardly from said pipe cushioning member to thereby permit the sternof a pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetween uponrelease of the opposed forces.

11. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

a. said second planar member is secured to said backplate member tosubstantially prevent relative movement therebetween; and

b. said first named planar member is enclosed within covering materialto substantially prevent mar damage to surfaces of the stern of thepipe.

12. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidbackplate member is formed of material which becomes pliable in responseto being heated whereby said backplate member may be manually molded toa shape of a curved pipe stem.

1. A pipe support structure comprising: a. a backplate member havingopposite sides and opposite ends; b. a pipe cushioning member mounted onone side of said backplate member and having portions defining anelongated recess therein and extending longitudinally thereof andadapted to receive a lower portion of a stem and bowl of a pipe, saidpipe cushioning member having opposite side edges and opposite ends; andc. retaining means mounted on said backplate member and adjacent andextending transversely of the pipe cushioning member and adapted toengage an upper portion of the stem to thereby retain same in theelongated recess in the pipe cushioning member, said retaining meanshaving end portions positioned adjacent respective opposite sides ofsaid backplate member and adapted to have a center portion thereof moveaway from said cushioning member in response to opposed forces appliedto said end portions.
 1. a planar member formed of resilient materialand positioned in overlying relation with said pipe cushioning memberand having opposite end portions thereof each hingedly supportedadjacent a respective one of the opposite edges of said backplate memberwhereby opposed forces applied to the opposite end portions of saidplanar member and to the opposite sides of said backplate member to eachassume a generally concave shape in opposed relation one to the other tothereby permit the stem of a pipe to be inserted therebetween andretained therebetween upon release of the opposed forces;
 2. a secondplanar member formed of resilient material and positioned adjacent theother side of said backplate member and having opposite end portionsthereof adjacent respective opposite sides of said backplate member; and2. A pipe structure as set forth in claim 1 including a support memberhaving one end thereof hingedly mounted on the other side of saidbackplate member adjacent one end thereof and having an other end ofsaid support member spaced from the other end of said backplate memberwhen said other ends are in engagement with a supporting surface toposition said backplate member and said support member in a generallyupstanding position.
 3. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 1wherein: a. said backplate member is a resilient member whereby opposedforces applied to the opposite sides of said backplate member causessame to assume a generally transverse concave shape; and b. saidretaining means includes a planar member formed of resilient materialand having said opposite end portions thereof each mounted adjacent arespective one of the opposite edges of said backplate member wherebythe opposed forces causes said planar member to assume a generallyconcave shape in opposed relation to the concave shape of said backplatemember to thereby permit the stem of a pipe to be inserted therebetweenand retained therebetween upon release of the opposed forces.
 3. meanshingedly connecting the opposite end portions of said first named planarmember to respective opposite end portions of said second planar memberwhereby intermediate portions of said first named and second planarmembers are spaced apart and opposed forces applied to the opposite endsthereof which effects movement of the opposite end portions toward eachother causes said first named planar member to move outwardly from saidpipe cushioning member to thereby permit the stem of a pipe to beinserted therebetween and retained therebetween upon release of theopposed forces.
 4. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 1wherein said retaining means includes: a. a first planar member formedof resilient material and positioned adjacent said pipe cushioningmember and having opposite end portions thereof adjacent respectiveopposite sides of said backplate member; b. a second planar memberformed of resilient material and positioned adjacent the other side ofsaid backplate member and having opposite end portions thereof adjacentrespective opposite sides of said backplate member; and c. meanshingedly connecting the opposite end portions of said first planarmember to respective opposite end portions of said second planar memberwhereby intermediate portions of said first and secoNd planar membersare spaced apart and opposed forces applied to said opposite endportions thereof which effects movement of the opposite end portionstoward each other causes said first planar member to move outwardly fromsaid pipe cushioning member to thereby permit the stem of a pipe to beinserted therebetween and retained therebetween upon release of theopposed forces.
 5. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 1wherein: a. said recess defining portions of said pipe cushioning memberinclude first and second portions positioned in laterally spacedrelation and each extending longitudinally of said backplate member andfrom one end of said backplate member to adjacent the other end thereofto define the elongated recess therebetween; b. said pipe cushioningmember has end portion extending between said first and second portionsand positioned adjacent the other end of said backplate member to definean end for the elongated recess; and c. said pipe cushioning end portionis positioned to be engaged by a heel portion of the bowl of a pipe tothereby retain same in said elongated recess.
 6. A pipe supportstructure as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. said backplate member is aresilient member whereby opposed forces applied to the opposite sides ofsaid backplate member causes same to assume a generally concave shape;and b. said retaining means includes a planar member formed of resilientmaterial and positioned in overlying relation with said pipe cushioningmember and having opposite end portions thereof each hingedly supportedadjacent a respective one of the opposite edges of said backplate memberwhereby opposed forces applied to the opposite end portions of saidplanar member and to the opposite sides of said backplate member causessaid planar member and said backplate member to each assume a generallyconcave shape in opposed relation one to the other to thereby permit thestem of a pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetweenupon release of the opposed forces.
 7. A pipe support structure as setforth in claim 6 wherein said retaining means includes: a. a secondplanar member formed of resilient material and positioned adjacent theother side of said backplate member and having opposite end portionsthereof adjacent respective opposite sides of said backplate member; andb. means hingedly connecting the opposite end portions of said firstnamed planar member to respective opposite end portions of said secondplanar member whereby intermediate portions of said first named andsecond planar members are spaced apart and opposed forces applied to theopposite end portions thereof which effects movement of the opposite endportions toward each other causes said first named planar member to moveoutwardly from said pipe cushioning member to thereby permit the stem ofa pipe to be inserted therebetween and retained therebetween uponrelease of the opposed forces.
 8. A pipe support structure comprising:a. a backplate member having opposite ends and opposite sides; b. a pipecushioning member mounted on one side of said backplate member andhaving portions defining an elongated recess therein and extendinglongitudinally from one end of said backplate member and adapted toreceive a lower portion of a stem and bowl of a pipe; c. retaining meansmounted on said backplate member and extending transversely of the pipecushioning member and adapted to resiliently engage an upper portion ofthe stem of said pipe to thereby retain same in the elongated recess insaid pipe cushioning member, said retaining means having end portionspositioned at respective opposite edges of said backplate member andadapted to have a center portion thereof move away from said cushioningmember in response to opposed forces applied to said end portions; andd. a support member having one end thereof hingedly mounted on the otherside of said backplate member adjacent one end thereof and having theOther end of said support member selectively movable to a positionspaced from the other end of said backplate member when said other endsare in engagement with a supporting surface to position said backplatemember and support member in a generally upstanding position.
 9. A pipesupport structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein: a. said recessdefining portions of said pipe cushioning member include first andsecond portions positioned in laterally spaced relation and eachextending longitudinally of said backplate member and from one end ofsaid backplate member to adjacent the other end thereof to define theelongated recess therebetween; b. said pipe cushioning member has an endportion extending between said first and second portions and positionedadjacent the other end of said backplate member to define an end for theelongated recess; c. said end portion is positioned to be engaged by aheel portion of the bowl of a pipe to thereby retain same in saidelongated recess; d. said first and second portions of said pipecushioning member are each formed of resilient material to provide acushion for the stem and bowl of the pipe; and e. said end portion ofsaid pipe cushioning member is formed of resilient material to provide acushion for the heel portion of the bowl of the pipe.
 10. A pipe supportstructure as set forth in claim 9 wherein: a. said backplate member is aresilient member whereby opposed forces applied to the opposite sides ofsaid backplate member causes same to assume a generally concave shape;and b. said retaining means includes:
 11. A pipe support structure asset forth in claim 10 wherein: a. said second planar member is securedto said backplate member to substantially prevent relative movementtherebetween; and b. said first named planar member is enclosed withincovering material to substantially prevent mar damage to surfaces of thestem of the pipe.
 12. A pipe support structure as set forth in claim 8wherein said backplate member is formed of material which becomespliable in response to being heated whereby said backplate member may bemanually molded to a shape of a curved pipe stem.